Mohamed Sanhadi, the long-standing official responsible for the security and logistics of the French national team, will not be with the squad at the first gathering under new coach Zinedine Zidane. A legal case has been opened against him on suspicion of corruption, abuse of influence, fraud and money laundering linked to tax evasion.
At the heart of the case is a payment of €60,300 made by Kylian Mbappé to Sanhadi following the World Cup in Qatar. According to French media, Sanhadi received a cheque for that amount in June 2023, with the funds coming from Mbappé's bonus for the 2022 World Cup. Mbappé had previously explained that it was a gift in thanks for Sanhadi's work during the World Cup. The bank reported the transaction to the French financial intelligence unit, Tracfin, following which an investigation was launched.
Sanhadi was brought before an investigating judge on 16 September following 48 hours in police custody. French justice has placed him under judicial control, with measures including a ban on contact with current and former French national team players, coaching staff, and managers, as well as current and former officials of the French Football Federation (FFF). He is also prohibited from entering the federation's headquarters in Clairefontaine, the Stade de France and the Parc des Princes, except with the express permission of the judge. He has been ordered to pay a deposit of €80,000, and according to French media, he is prohibited from working in professional sport.
The French public prosecutor has charged him with suspicion of receiving or concealing public funds, active and passive corruption, abuse of influence, international trade influence, fraud and money laundering linked to tax evasion. The Paris public prosecutor's office opened a formal judicial investigation in January 2026. Sanhadi has not yet been convicted in a final judgment.
Sanhadi has been a key behind-the-scenes figure in the French national team for nearly two decades. As a police officer, he was with the national team from 2004, initially as a liaison and security officer, working with several generations of French national team players and coaches. According to Le Monde, he was given early retirement in December 2025 following an administrative review by the French police inspectorate. After leaving the police, he was employed by the French Football Federation, and Sanhadi continued to work with the national team. In the new staff of Zinedine Zidane, he was given a role responsible for logistics and security, and Zidane insisted that he remain part of the national team staff. L'Équipe reported that Zidane strongly advocated for his retention in the staff after the World Cup.
The French Football Federation said it would not comment on the ongoing case, but announced that it would draw consequences from the case in its relationship with Sanhadi, and that it would intervene in the proceedings as a civil party.
